Note from N.Robin Crossby: I cannot really include this piece in the Harnmaster Alchemical system, nor recommend it, but it is such a charming allegory (perhaps more than a "real" alchem- ical recipie) that I thought you would all be interested. Iron- ically, it is the allegorical nature that seems (to me) to make it incompatible with Harnmaster. It does, however, provide food for thought.
Here is a alchemical recipe from (I believe) a 16th or 17th century Terran work called "Magica Divina." This particular formula for the creation of an homonculus (or rather, a pair of homonculi) is reputed to have been formulated by that great Terran 16th century physician/alchemist/mage Paracelsus, who reputedly discovered the Aqua Vitae, or Elixir of Life.
Obviously, this preparation would combine some of the most subtle and esoteric aspects of magic, and should probably require an alchemical enhancement roll of at least 6.0.
Homonculi of Paracelsus [15] Very Rare
Description:
Appearance: Two tiny people living in a bowl
Effects/Usage: Will reveal many of "the secrets of nature"
Doseage: n/a
Antidote(s): n/a
Ingredients: Bowl of finest crystal, One measure May [Peonu?]
Dew, two measures human blood, and one drachm [dram?] "Animal
Tincture."
Preparation: See below
Enhancement: Alchemical Enhancement 6.0
Yield: 2 homonculi
Note: Here is the paraphrasing of Paracelsus' formula, with certain "quoted" translations from Magica Divina [parenthesis are my additions]:
Take a large, clean vessel, "of the most beautiful crystal glass." Pour into it "one measure [?] of the purest May [Peonu?] dew, collected when the moon is cresent." Add two measures of blood, "drawn from a healthy young person."
Let this mixture stand for a month, by which time it will seperate into a reddish clay under clear water. Draw off the clear water and add to it "one drachm [dram?] of animal tincture [essence?]."
Let the reddish mixture stand for another month, meanwhile applying a continuous, gentle heat.
The stuff will gradually form into a sort of bladder, and will become covered with a fine network of veins and nerves. Sprin- kle this every fourth week [lunar month = Harnic month] with the fluid from the second bowl.
At the end of four months you will notice a "peeping sound" and "movements of life." Look into the vessel, and you will see "a most beautiful pair, a boy and a girl which you can contemplate with heartfelt admiration." The homonculi are only six inches tall, and of small appetite. They require only two grains [?] of animal tincture once a month to keep them alive and happy for six years. "They move and walk about the vessel, wherein the middle there is a tree [first mention] growing with all kinds of pleasant fruits."
"When one year old, they can inform you of many secrets of nature. They are sweet in disposition, and obey you in every thing."
There is a danger to this recipe, however.
"At the end of the sixth year you will find that this beautiful pair, who have eaten hitherto all kinds of fruits, except those growing in the tree which sprang up in the middle of the vessel now begin to eat the fruit of that. Then a vapour is found in the vessel, which grows denser, assumes a blood red color, and emits flashes." [possibly dangerous to nearby individuals....] The two mannikins are terrified and try to hide themselves. Finally, everything around them is parched; they die, and the whole is turned into a fuming mass. "If the vessel is not very large and strong, it explodes, causing great damage."
May the philosopher's stone be yours!
Brian Malcolm
East Moline, Illinois